Introduction: A Comprehensive Bail Out Bag

If Altoids Survival Tins are compact, yet largely often inadequate and bug-out bags are cumbersome and usually out of reach... What is the answer? Enter: the "bail out bag".

Bail out bags are the perfect compromise between a mini survival kit and a large bug out bag. In fact, you may surprise yourself how easy it is to meet your survival needs without the need of a giant bag.

To clarify, I do keep a comprehensive Altoids survival kit on me at all times [see my other instructable] and I also keep a 60 liter Osprey Aether backpack in the back of my vehicle full of SHTF gear as my 72 hour get home bag. But if I'm suddenly thrown into a survival situation - such as a drunk driver knocking me off of a bridge in the middle of nowhere - then I only have one short window to reach for survival gear before the car fills with water. Also, if I carpool with a friend on a roadrip I can bring this bag with me or if I'm in a dual survival situation I can give this bag to the other person and I can carry my 72 hour bag. I can list off other random uses, but I think you get the point. :)

First up: The bag

Step 1: The Bag O' Bailing

All of the items included in this kit easily fits into this SealLine 20 liter waterproof bag [purchased at REI]. In an emergency, I can easily reach this bag on the floorboard in the backseat of my SUV. Also, because it is waterproof and due to the air inside of it, this bag floats!

Next to wear I keep my bail out bag in the backseat I also have waterproof combat boots [with a hiking sock lining the inside of each] and running along the bottom of the entire floorboard I have an instant shelter I picked up at SAM's called Super Brella. These items I've just mentioned is if I have a couple extra minutes of time and will most likely be used with my 72 hour bag. The closer you can make survival like camping the better. :)

Another fun fact, I keep a window breaker/seatbelt cutter tool in my car's overhead compartment [sunglasses holder] to help me escape from my vehicle in an emergency.

Next up: The contents

Step 2: Contents

In the main image I have laid out the contents of my bail out bag. The other pictures provide close ups of the contents.

I've hyperlinked some of the more specific items. Also, some of the items listed are inside of the Ka Bar survival kit which I go into more detail on the next page [or click Ka Bar survival kit image]. My philosophy of use of how I plan on carrying this kit in a survival situation is explained in the bag image.

Step 3: Ka Bar Survival Kit

I believe that at the heart of every great survival kit should be a great knife and the legendary Ka Bar is one of the best. This bail out bag originated from this Ka Bar survival kit.

In a survival situation some of the items in this kit are designed to be worn. The Ka Bar is one of them. Included in this kit is a military tactical belt to take the weight of the sheath. I've tied paracord around the back of the sheath so that this kit can be worn horizontal along the belt as well. Inside of the sheath pocket is a highly modified SOL survival kit which keeps the contents dry. Although this sheath pocket was customized by me, Maxpedition sells them as well.

Step 4: Conclusion

Well that just goes to show you that you never know how making a survival kit surrounding your knife will end up. :) Hope y'all found something useful in this guide! If you'd like to see the contents of my bugout/get home bag lemme know! The next couple of projects that I'm working on is to make a useful Altoids Smalls survival tin and a useful [and not tacky] survival necklace.

Consider buying a used Swiss Army knife for each of your kits. That way, if the multitool is in the "wrong" kit, you still have backup. The Camper/Climber/Tinker/Huntsmen are good choices; I've found them for $10-15 ea. on eBay. I have one and an LED headlamp in the center console of all my cars.

Great kit! I like that you've included a cat in it. Cats are very versatile survival tools (containing hand/neck warmer, foghorn, rodent trap, back scratcher, night vision, music player etc.) Best regards! P.